Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,657, Phinehas Drake, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Drake Phinehas
S. 31,657
CONTENTS

22767
Connecticut
Phinehas Drake
of Suffield in the State of Conn who was a Pri - in the Conn comm by Captain Prior of the Regt comm by Col Ward in the Conn line for
19 mo —
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn at the rate of 63 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 31-day of Octo 33 and sent Pension Suffield Conn
Arrears to the 14th of Sept 33. $ 168.33 Semi-ant. allowance ending Mar 6 — 31.66
$189.99
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E D Pilleat Clerk Book E Vol. 3 Page 11-
Dead
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 April 1838 from 4 Sep 1838 to 8 Jany 1839. The day of his death Agt notified 17. Nov. 1840

Phyllis Drake
No 6019.
for Anderson

State of Connecticut } Hartford County } SUFFIELD 11 August 1832 Suffield Probate District }
On the 11 day of August 1832 personally ap- peared before Luther Soons, Judge of Probate of the Court  for said District  5 th Court being now established Phinehas Drake a resident of the town of Suffield in said County seventy nine years of age, sixty  his years who first duly sworn according to law doth on oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832. That he enlisted at Windsor in said State in the army of the United States in April 1775 for the term of seven months in the State of Connecticut in the company then commanded by Lieut Robertson under the command of Major Eno. & General Spencer in the Connecticut line. That I continued to serve in said corps during the term & was discharged at Roxbury, Massachusetts from the service about 1 Dec r 1775. This tour of duty was performed at Roxbury. That in the year 1775 at Windsor I again enlisted in the army of the United States (tho' I do not recollect the precise time) for the term of twelve months in the company commanded by Capt Abner Prior & the Regiment of Col d Ward in the Connecticut line on the Continental establishment. I marched to New York & into New Jersey. I served during the term & was honorable discharged at Princeton New Jersey in the spring of 1777 according to my best recollection

He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except the present He declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State
For the last above mentioned service he has been on the receipt of a pension but was struck from the roll on account of the possession of property. His pension certificate has been lost.
I have resided at Suffield from the time of my first application for a pension to the present time. I served as a general.
In 1778 - the spring I again enlisted in the Connecticut department under Col. Wadsworth for seven months, and served that period as a cooper. I went first to Bethlehem Penns. & then followed the army into New Jersey, & was present at the battle of Monmouth.
Thomas Drake
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day before aforesaid
Arthur Loomis Judge

And the said Court do hereby declare the opinion that the forgoing named application was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states. —
I Luther Loomis Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Suffield State of Connecticut, do hereby certify that the forgoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Phinehas Drake for a pension. —
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 11 th day of August A.D. 1832. —
Luther Loomis Judge

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
November 12 th , 1840.
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," The widow of Phinehas Drake, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Connecticut Agency, at the rate of Sixty Three Dollars and 33 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1838, to the 8 th January 1839, the day of his death,
Respectfully yours,
Abner S. Parris
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

aug 7 October 1, 1928. am
John McKellar, 3077 Birdsall Avenue, Oakland, California.
Sir:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 31657, it appears that Phinehas Drake was born in 1753 at Windsor, Connecticut.
While residing at said Windsor, he enlisted and served as a private with the Connecticut Troops, as follows:
From in April 1775, seven months under Lieutenant Robertson and Major Enos ; from in May 1776, one year in Captain Abner Prior's Company, Colonel Andrew Ward's Regiment; and from the spring of 1778, seven months in the commissary department under Colonel Wadsworth, and was at the battle of Monmouth.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 20, 1818, at which time he was living at Suffield, Hartford County, Connecticut.
He died January 8, 1839, leaving a widow, her name not given. A son, Gilbert Drake, was living in Suffield, Connecticut in 1833.

There are no further family data.
The above noted Phinehas Drake is the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT, Commissioner.
COPIED BY ADY

31657 Pay INVALID.
File No. 31657
Phinehas Drake
Rev Rev War
Act: June 1 st 1824
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 114
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1928 Oct 1 - Hist to John M. Keller aug.

16.982 D Connecticut.
See letter May 31. 1831 to W. C. Gay. do. to same June 13. 1831 do. to same May 7. 1832
Phinehas Drake
of Suffield in the state of Connecticut who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Ward of the Connecticut line, for the term of 1 year.
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 20 th of April 1810.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 th of May 1820 and sent to Henry S. Ellsworth Esq. Hartford Conn.
Arrears to 4th of March 1820 - 179.96 Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 Sept. 1820. 40.00 22 Mo. \frac{11}{30} \frac{4}{31} $ 227.96
{ Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818. }
Hartford Co. -

6019
Phoebe Drake
e
19 th Century
Clifton and Suffield Count.

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such appli-

Diana Bloom

I Moses Wilson of St Windsor State of Connecticut aged 82 years do testify, say that in the year 1775 Phinehas Drake then of Windsor now of Suffield in State enlisted in the army of the United States in the company of Capt Prior under the command of Major Ennis in the Connecticut line for seven months & went to Boston & the surrounding country. I was in the same company with him. He served his time.
In the year 1778 he again at St Windsor enlisted in the army of the United States in a company commanded by Capt Prior for twelve months. He marched with the army & was absent from this town a long time & I have no doubt he served out his enlistment. And further deponent saith not. Windsor. Ct. Aug 31. 1833. Moses Wilson
State of Connecticut St Windsor for 31 Aug 1833.
Hartford County ss. Personally appeared Moses Wilson made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition before me this day personally. I also certify that he is well known to me to be a man of credibility.
Before me W. G. Gay
Just Peace

Phinehas Drake private 20 April 1818.
not on list
D.H.
Phinehas Drake, Private Col. Ward's Regt. Conn. Line 1776-17 year, dec 30 th Ap l 1818
Not on list in 1818
These names are listed forward by the on the Continental therefore this name
Phinehas
Admitted.

State of Conn & } County of Hartford } p
Phinehas Drake of Suffield in 1 st County aged sixty five years, being duly sworn cloth before tray that he served in the revolutionary war on the Continent -at establishment in the Conn line for one year -
That he enlisted at Windsor in 1 st County in the month of May 1776 to serve as a private for one year, in the company commanded by Capt Ebene Prior in Col Andrew Ward's Regt of the Conn line; that he continued to serve in 1 st corps until the month of May 1777 when he was discharged from the service in Morristown New Jersey - which discharge he can not produce being lost
That he is a resident citizen of the U. States, has never held a pension, is in reduced circumstances & is in need of assistance from his country for support. He makes the above declaration in order to obtain the provision of the late act of Congress entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval service of the U. States in the revolutionary war".
Sworn to & subscribed } this 20 day of April 1818 }
Phinehas Drake
Before me Jonathan Brainerd Judge of the County Court for the County aforesaid

State of Conn & S County of Hartford S
Loomis Warner of Windsor in said county being duly sworn doth depose & say, that the within named Phinehas Drake sometime in the month of May 1776 enlisted into Capt Abner Prior's Comp y & Col Andrew Ward's Reg t of the Continental Army - that he continually served therein until the 14 th day of May 1777 when he was honorably discharged in the state of New Jersey. The deponent having belonged to the same company during all the afores d time is well knowing to the above facts Loomis Warner
Sworn to & subscribed } this 23 rd day of October 1818 }
Before me N. A. Phelps Jus. Peace
James Anderson of Hartford in said county being duly sworn doth depose & say that he belonged to Capt Abner Prior's Comp y & Col Andrew Ward's Reg t of the Continental Army from May 1776 to the 14 th of May 1777 & is well knowing that the within named Phinehas Drake & served in belonged to the same company during the afores d period & that he was honorably discharged in New Jersey on the 14 th day of May A d 1777 -
James Anderson
Sworn to & subscribed } this 23 rd day of October 1818 }
Before me
N. A. Phelps Jus. Peace

James Anderson of Hartford in 1 st county being duly sworn doth depose & say that he belonged to Capt Abner Prior's Comp y 1 st Col t Andrew Ward's Reg t of the Continental Army from May 1776 to the 14 th of May 1777 & is well knowing that the within named Phinehas Dole & served in belonged to the same company during the aforesaid period & that he was honorably discharged in New Jersey on the 14 th day of May A D 1777 -
James Anderson
Sworn to & subscribed } this 23 rd day of October 1818
Before me
N. A. Phelps Jus. Peace
I certify that the above named Deponents Loomis Wannu & James Anderson are both credible witnesses -
Hartford Conn t October 23. 1818.
N. A. Phelps Jus. Peace
I Thomas Chester clerk of the county court of Hartford county certify that Noah A. Phelps Esq r on the 23 rd day of October 1818 was a justice of peace in & for said county & I believe that the three  two above signatures of his name are his three signatures And that I certify that Elisha Phelps Esq r on the 30 th day of November 1819 was a justice of peace
in & for said county & I believe that the signature of his name on a paper marked E.P. is his signature
Witness my hand & the seal of said court at Hartford
December 20. 1819
Thomas Chester clerk

STATE OF CONNECTICUT, } ss. Hartford and County of Hartford. }
I JONATHAN BRACE, Judge of the County Court, within and for said County, the same being a Court of Record, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction that Phinehas Drake — who swore to and subscribed the foregoing affidavit, served as a private — in the Revolutionary war against the common enemy, and on the Continental establishment, for at least the term of nine months, and is a resident citizen of the United States, in reduced circumstances, and in need of assistance from his country for support. His discharge he also swears is lost —
And in addition to the proof contained in the foregoing affidavit, and in support thereof, I further certify that it is proved to me by the testimony under oath of Ebenezer Gunn James Anderson who is a credible witness, that the said Phinehas Drake served in the revolutionary war, as aforesaid ;
and from the like testimony of Ebenezer Gunn James Anderson that the said Phinehas Drake — is in reduced circumstances, and in need of assistance from his country for support.
In testimony whereof, I have caused the seal of the said Court to be hereunto affixed, and subscribed my name at Hartford aforesaid, this 20 th day of April —
A. D. 1818.
Jonathan Brace Judge of the County Court for the County aforesaid
April 20 th 1818 sealed with the seal of said Court by direction of the Honourable Jonathan Brace who is the Presiding Judge of said Court.
Thomas Chester clerk

State of Connecticut } County of Hartford } per
I, David Griswold, Clerk of the County Court for said County of Hartford, do hereby certify That David Hales, before whom the foregoing affidavits of Phinehas Drake, Wm. C. Gay, & Gilbert Drake, were respectively taken, was, at the time of taking the same, a Justice of the Peace in & for said County of Hartford, duly com- missioned & qualified according to Law, & that the respective signatures, purporting to be of David Hales, are genuine.
And I further certify, That William C. Gay, before whom the foregoing affidavit of Moses Wilson was taken, was, at the time of taking the same, a Justice of the Peace in & for said County of Hartford, duly commissioned & qualified according to Law, & that the signature, pur- porting to be of said Wm. C. Gay, is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office, this 12 th day of September (A.D. 1833.)
Attest David Griswold, Clerk
[Handwritten signature of David Griswold]

We Loomis Warner of Windsor and Elisha Gunn of Suffield both of Hartford County and State of Conn respectfully of lawful age depose and say that we are well ac- quainted with Phineas Brake of Suffield an applicant for a pension is in needy circumstances and needs the assistance of his country for support - and further say not Hartford Nov 30 1819 Loomis Warner Elisha Gunn
Hartford Nov 30 1819
Personally appeared before me Loomis Warner and Elisha Gunn signers of the above deposition and being under oath declared the facts by them stated to be true - and said Warner and Gunn are both known to me as men of strength and integrity — Elisha Phelps Justice of Peace

Mr. Drake
[Faint, mirrored cursive handwriting, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page]
[Faint, mirrored cursive handwriting, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page]

APPLICATION FOR A NEW CERTIFICATE.
County of Hartford
ss. Suffolk
On this 17 day of September 183 3 , before me,
the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said county of Hartford personally appeared Phinehas Drake who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Abner Prior in the regiment commanded by Colonel Ward in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Connecticut that he received a certificate, of that fact under the signature and seal of the Secretary of War; which certificate, on or about the 16 day of April 183 2 at or near Town , between M c & Gay , his solicitor for a
renewal of his pension papers & himself, his former pension certificate was lost & written. Gay & myself have ever been able to find the same.
Phinehas Drake
Sworn and subscribed to before me, the day and year aforesaid.
Phinehas
Phinehas Drake is a man of veracity
De Witt Hale Justice of the Peace
NOTES.—The last four blanks are left for the applicant to set forth the time, place, and manner of the loss or destruction of the original certificate.
The oath to be taken before a duly qualified Magistrate, whose official character and signature must be properly authenticated.
¶ If the Pensioner has never received a formal certificate, but has drawn his pension on a mere notification, as was the case in a few instances many years ago, he should leave out the above words in italics, and insert, in lieu thereof, "but has never received a formal certificate, and now wishes to obtain one."
The Pensioner's oath must be supported by the evidence of another person as to identity. The person must swear that he well knows him to be the same person described in the above affidavit. The Magistrate must certify that the deponent is a person of veracity. This oath must also be authenticated by the certificate of the proper officer, under his seal of office, setting forth that the officer before whom the affidavit may be made is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, or Notary Public, as the case may be:
When a person acting as an agent or Attorney for a pensioner, loses the certificate, the affidavit of that person is also required, which must be authenticated as above.
¶ In every case where the Clerk of the Court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should be sent with the papers.
¶ Mode of authenticating papers.—In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officers who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or small ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
¶ No attention will be given to applications from persons who act as agents, unless they are known at the War Department, or are vouched for as respectable persons by some one who is known to the Department.

I William C Gay. of Sheffield Hartford County State of Connecticut of lawful age do hereby testify that I was on 16 April 1832 in company for Phoebe Dreke to obtain a renewal of her pension, which she had lost by passing a small life estate in some lands. His pension certificate was in my hands & between me, Dreke & myself it was last seen where I for some time have been able to find it. I held it in my hands for a long period, but cannot find it any where in my possession now as I know where it is. The present Dreke is the young child of the very distinct - his appearance resembled H. L. 1833. W. C. Gay
State of Connecticut. Hartford County Sheffield Lt 11. 1833 Personally appeared William C Gay made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition before me. David Hale Justice of the Peace

I Gilbert Drake of St. Mary Connecticut Hateful age as truth may say that my father Nicholas Drake was for many a pension as a soldier of the revolution, & as such received money under his pension until he was stricken from the list on account of the possession of property, tho' he is now poor. His pension certificate was lost about one & 1/2 years since between him & William & Gay his volunteer for its renewal. He is the same pension, & is the same pension as his affidavit. Suffield Sept 11. 1833. Gilbert Drake
State of Connecticut Southern County ss. I happened 11 Sept 1833 Gilbert Drake made his oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed. He is a man of veracity. Before me David Hall Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut } Hartford County } p Suffered 9 Ap. 1833 Suffia Rootale Dist.
On the 9 September 1833 has now appeared before the Court. Luther Loomis judge being present As Court now is in session. Ohmichas Drake of Stoughton aged eighty years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of borrowing paper June 7. 1832. That he enlisted at Wadsworth in State in the army of the United States in April 1775 for the term of seven months in the company commanded by Lieut Robertson, under the command of Major Eno, & General Spencer in the Connecticut line. That he continued to serve in Corps during term and was discharged at Roxbury Massachusetts from the service about 1 Dec 1775. This term was performed at Roxbury.
That - the year 1775 at the outbreak of the war I preferred to be again enlisted in the army of the United States (tho I do not use the the present term) for the term of twelve months - the company commanded by Capt. Abner Bous. of the Regiment of Col. Mather in the Connecticut Line on the Conti- nental establishment. He marched to New York New Jersey, served during the term & was honorably discharged at Providence in February. - the spring of

the year 1777. He has not found any testimony but that he is not able to find  able to find He hereby acknowledges every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present I declare that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State.
For the reason last above mentioned he has been once in the receipt of a pension, but was stricken from roll on account of the possession of property. His pension certificate was lost between W. C. Gay my solicitor for a pension about two years since, & myself. & I have not been able to find it since.
I have resided at Suffield from my first application for a pension under the first pension law in 1818 to the present time. Previous to that - I Windsor. He is now poor. He served in the army as a private & never had a written discharge. He was born at Windsor - 1753. I have no record of my age. I have lived since the year 1780 Suffield Windsor. I am known to Ezra Hanchett & William Gay both of Suffield who are well acquainted with my character & who can testify both to that & to my reputation in the neighborhood where I lived of having been a soldier in the revolution. To their commendation that opinion but there is no disagreeable in town who knows any of them in the matter.
Michael Dole
In witness to I subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Defer m.
Guthrie Loring Judge

We Ezra Hanchett & William L. Gay inhabitants of the residing in the town of Suffield, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Phinehas Drake . who has voluntarily sworn to the following declaration that we believe him to be 80 years of age. that he is a native of Hebrew - the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, & that we concur in that opinion. Suffield 9 th Sept 1833. Ezra Hanchett W m L. Gay
Sworn. Subscribed the days & year of our Lord. Before me. Luther Loomis Judge
And I do hereby declare that in opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, as stated by him. And the board further certifies that it appears to them that Ezra Hanchett & William Gay both of this town who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of this town, that they are credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit. Suffield 9 th Sept 1833. Luther Loomis Judge

O. Blake
State of Connecticut Hartford County ss. Suffered Probate Duties Lf 1/1833
I Alvin Pease Clerk of the Court of Probate for the district of Suffield do hereby certify that the within copy contain the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Phoebe Drake for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at my house the day and year above written.
Oliver Pease

War Department Pension Office July 16. 1833
Sir The papers in support of your application for a pension under the act of June 7 1832 have been examined, they are herewith returned accompanied by a brief showing some of the objections to the admission of your claim. To remedy the loss of your certificate as a pensioner under a former act, a certificate agreeably to the inclosed form should be made and should accompany the supplemental declaration. —
In as much as you claim a pension for other services than those declared for under the act of 1818 it is necessary that you proceed to make a declaration as

though your name has not been on the Purvis roll
The papers under Commissions Wadsworth are inadmisible - as soon as the papers are properly amended and corrected and returned to the Department they will receive due attention
I am Sir
Yours &c
J. L. Edwards
Mr. Phineas Drake Suffield Conn.

3077-Birdsall Ave., Oakland, California. Sept. 22 nd 1928.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
The Adjutant General of the War Dept., advised me to write you for inquiries concerning my great-grandfather Phinehas Drake, Jr. who served during the Revolutionary War in Capt. Robinson's Co. Wyllys (2) Connecticut Regiment. He applied for pension in 1831 and was receiving same until his death in 1839. At the time of his death he was a resident of Suffield, Conn., but he was probably born at Windsor, or Simsbury, Conn. His father was probably Lieut. Phinehas Drake who died in 1776.
If you can locate any records showing where he was born, date of birth, his father and especially his mother's name, I shall be more than glad to have them.
I have his affidavit for pension but the information which I am seeking is not contained therein.
I am, Dear Sir,
Yours faithfully, John M. Keller.